Hospice shop moves on

THE Arohanui Hospice shop is relocating from Rangitikei Street to the corner of Lombard and Walding Streets. PHOTO: KARLA KARAITIANA

A lack of carparking and traffic congestion are some of the reasons why the Arohanui Hospice Shop has decided to make a move to more manageable premises.

Store management has been busy finding a location to provide better space for the growing shop's needs.

"We have been struggling with limited customer and volunteer car parks, and the congested drop-off area at the back of the Rangitikei shop was beginning to be a concern," Arohanui director of strategy and operations Louise Curtis says.

Neighbours of the Rangitikei shop agreed the Hospice store, combined with McDonalds and an already busy intersection, caused a headache when it came to traffic and parking in the area.

One in particular had grown wary of the constant dumping of rubbish at the rear of the store and was happy to see the shop move on.

Ms Curtis says the new location will allow volunteers to handle donations easier and get more stock on the floor where it can be sold. This is vital in making up for the funding shortfall, sitting at $2.5 million for the 2016/17 financial year.

"We simply could not provide such a high quality service to our patients and their families without the support from our shops," Ms Curtis says.

The new store will be located on the corner of Lombard and Walding Streets and will officially open on February 3 at 10am.

The move takes the store back in the neighbourhood where it originated, with the first shop opened on Walding Street in September, 1995.

"I think our success is down to knowing what our community wants and needs, providing good quality, clean goods for sale and making all of our customers and supporters feel valued and appreciated."

The grand opening will be officiated with a ribbon cutting by Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith. Members of the public are welcome.